Canada Advances to World Cup’s Knockout Stage in Historic First Despite 2–1 Loss to Switzerland

Switzerland's Nico Elvedi (4) and Canada's Cyle Larin (9) jump for the ball during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver on June 24, 2026. Abbie Parr/AP Photo

Canada lost its third 2026 World Cup game against Switzerland 2–1 at B.C. Place in Vancouver on June 24 but is still making history by advancing to the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time thanks to its 6–0 win in a previous game against Qatar.

Canada’s June 18 win against Qatar gave Canadians a goal-difference advantage over Bosnia and Herzegovina, which defeated Qatar 3–1 on June 24.

The result places Bosnia third in group B. The eight best third-place finishers across the 12 groups will move on to the 32-team knockout stage that will determine the 2026 FIFA World Cup champion.

If Team Canada had won on June 24, it would have played its next game in Vancouver in front of a home crowd. However, the loss against Switzerland now has the team headed to Los Angeles, where they will play South Africa in their next match on June 28.

Attempted Comeback

A hard-fought game between Canada and Switzerland opened up with a goalless first half.

This was changed after a goal by Switzerland’s Ruben Vargas only 40 seconds after the start of the second half, followed up by a second goal from Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi just 11 minutes later.

Canada continued battling hard against a dominant Swiss team. The hard work paid off with a goal from Canada’s Promise David, who had just come onto the pitch as a substitute and turned a long ball from Nathan Saliba into a goal as resounding cheers echoed through B.C. Stadium.

Although Canada pushed hard for an equalizing goal in the closing stages of the game and came up with several near-goals, Switzerland held Canada back and secured the 2–1 victory, dropping Canada to second place in Group B.

‘Great Confidence’

Joy Leith of Olds, Alberta, said that she’s not a huge soccer fan but that she’s been getting excited about Canada’s success in the World Cup and has been enjoying watching matches.

“I’m hoping for them. I’ve got great confidence in them,” Leith said while watching the match against Switzerland.

She said that her son played soccer as a boy and that she served as assistant coach in the past. She said that watching Canada advance to the next round is a “historic moment.”

“Soccer is not always Canada’s strongest, too, right?” Leith said. “So to be able to win and keep going, that’s amazing.”

Knockout Round

Before the match, Canada’s head coach, Jesse Marsch, said that winning and staying in Vancouver was Canada’s top priority. However, Switzerland was the favorite going into the game.

As the first-place finisher in Group B, Switzerland will enjoy four extra days of rest before its next match. The Swiss team has won its World Cup group only once in history, in 2006, and has never won a World Cup championship.

The 2026 World Cup features games hosted at stadiums throughout Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

If Canada continues advancing in the World Cup, competition will go up significantly; powerful teams such as Brazil, Germany, Spain, Argentina, and England are among those favored to advance to the final game.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.